As part of Festival of India in Cambodia, a Buddhist Festival was organized at the historic Wat Ounalum in Phnom Penh from 06-10 February 2017 keeping in view the fact that Buddhism represents a strong link between the two countries. The opening ceremony was held on evening of 6th February. H.E. Mr. Ram Nath Kovind, Hon’ble Governor of Bihar (President of Nav Nalanda Mahavihara Society, Nalanda) led a delegation to Cambodia and jointly inaugurated the Buddhist Festival with H.E. Mr. Him Chhem, Minister of Cults and Religion, H.E. Ms. Phoeurng Sackona, Minister of Culture and Fine Arts. The inaugural was graced by the presence of His Holiness Samdech Tep Vong, The Great Supreme Patriarch of Cambodia and His Holiness Samdech Bour Kry, Sangharaja of Dhammayut Nikaya order of Cambodia with their delegations of Buddhist monks. It was a unique occasion with the presence of the leaders of the two main Buddhist Nikayas of the Cambodia. The opening ceremony was also attended by government officials, members of the diplomatic corps, Indian community, general public and tourists.

Buddhist Festival consisted of an Exhibition “Dharma Darshan” curated by the Nav Nalanda Mahavihara which received wide response and hundreds of Cambodian and foreign visitors crowded the exhibition hall to see the artifacts and digitized prints exploring and illustrating the life and teachings of the Buddha and Buddhist heritage sites in India.

On 28 January, the NADAM group conducted a workshop with local dance students at the Embassy of India.